The Space Environment Computational Laboratory

The Space Environment Computational Laboratory (SECL) investigates the role that space weather plays on the space environment near Earth and Mars using state-of-the-art computer modeling techniques. Professor Dave Pawlowski runs the lab with the aid of funding from NASA's Mars Data Analysis Program and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. In the lab, students have the opportunity to develop their computational skills while working with sophisticated modeling tools and data from several NASA and European space missions.

The goals of SECL include helping prepare future space missions for the adverse effects of space weather by predicting atmospheric drag effects on spacecraft and communications and navigation systems degradation. Also, by characterizing the space around Earth and Mars, the work performed in SECL is relevant for many of NASA's primary scientific objectives.

Dr. Pawlowski is actively looking for both undergraduate and graduate students that are interested in doing space physics research. Please contact him if you are interested!